Talking Points:
- Anachronism occurs when events or objects appear out of the proper time period in which one would expect them. The Book of Mormon is riddled with many kinds of anachronisms.
- Surprisingly for what claims to be an ancient record, the Book of Mormon reflects an 18th century American origin. It weighs in on specific issues and controversies common in Joseph Smith’s generation.
- The Book of Mormon shows close parallels to several books that were popular in Joseph Smith’s time, raising the question of whether Smith borrowed from contemporary sources.
- One form of Book of Mormon anachronism is how it borrows ideas from the Bible, but in ways that defy the Bible’s timeline.
Discussion:
- Give some examples of how anachronism might show up in a movie or TV show. Why does anachronism create a credibility problem?
- Describe the anachronisms that crop up in the Book of Mormon. How does this compare with the Bible?
- The Book of Mormon contains many parallels to 18th century American thought, including writings from the time. Why would this be a problem? What answers might Mormons give to this issue?
- Identify some of the anachronisms in the Book of Mormon relating to its use of the Bible. On a scale of 1-10, how strong do you think this evidence is, and why?
- Why is it important to evaluate the claims made by the Book of Mormon? What is at stake in doing such an evaluation?
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